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Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records

Collection ID

Acc. 433, PC-6

Related Subjects

Collecting Areas

Description

Collection Summary

Title
Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records

Dates
1935-2015    

Collection ID
Acc. 433, PC-6

Creator
Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Quantity
7 boxes           

Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

Language
Materials in English.         

Detailed Collection Information

Historical Note

In 1727, Benjamin Franklin convinced 12 of his friends to form a club dedicated to mutual improvement. Meeting one night a week, these young men discussed the topics of the day. The group lasted for 40 years and eventually became the nucleus of the American Philosophical Society. The term "junto" sank into obscurity for almost 150 years.

In 1941, a group of civic-minded individuals met at the Academy of Music and formed an organization dedicated to the concept of continuing adult education. This was the result of several months of meetings that included the Adult Education Council and the Museum Council of Philadelphia. These two parenting organizations formed committees to study the possibility of city wide adult education programs. Since the late 1930's, adult education groups had been starting up all over the country, and by 1941, at least ten such organizations had formed in the surrounding suburbs. Adopting Franklin's theme of "informal education," the group also adopted the name of his original organization, "The Junto". Conceived as a non-profit civic endeavor, the group styled itself as a "fun while learning" organization and social activities were always part of the schedule in the early years.

Unlike the original Junto and its successor, the American Philosophical Society, membership was not to be restricted. No pre-entrance exams, awards or diplomas were to be used. Fees were to be kept to a minimum, enough to cover expenses. The original curriculum covered 38 subjects and utilized locations in various parts of the city. Average cost was about 20 cents a lecture in 1941 and over 5,000 people signed up for the first series of classes, with at least 1,000 more turned away.

During the war years the Junto continued to expand and to provide inexpensive education to many adults in the Philadelphia area. In 1951 the Junto entered into a major controversy when it entered into a complicated business deal with Bill Levitt (builder of Levittown) in which the Junto emerged not only as the landlord to some 4,000 families, but with at least $1,000,000 profit (on paper). The non-profit status of the organization was seriously jeopardized. Incorporation of the group was also done in this year.

The decades of the 1950's and 1960's saw the Junto continuing to sponsor adult education courses and enter into alliances with other organizations with similar goals, notably the Adult Education Council and Harcum Junior College. By the late 1960's, however, many different groups were sponsoring various forms of adult education and the Junto lost much of its original mission. By 1969, the organization was calling itself the Junto Center for Adult Education. It moved from its location at 16 south 10th Street to 16th and Market. It shared its accommodations with the Center for Adult Education.

By the mid 1970's, the Junto was no longer actively organizing adult classes, but instead granted monies to organizations that were. In 1975, the Junto decided to regroup, and voted to transfer its remaining funds to Harcum Junior College, which shared the same goals as the Junto. Although the group continued to meet, without funds or large numbers of people, the Junto became an "advisory group."

Description of Collection

This collection contains Board minutes, agendas, reports, administrative records, histories, financial and fundraising records, correspondence, publications, brochures, scrapbooks, photographs, and project files. This collection includes preserved versions of the organization’s website, available through Archive-It.

Organization and Arrangement

This collection is organized in 10 series:

Series 1:  Administration, 1941-1977
Series 2:  Financial, 1946-1974
Series 3:  Correspondence, 1945-1971
Series 4:  Publications of and about Creating Organization, 1954-1974
Series 5:  Projects, 1944-1974
Series 6:  Other Organizations, 1953-1977
Series 7:  Scrapbooks, 1941-1977
Series 8:  Memorabilia, undated
Series 9:  Photographs (PC-6), 1935-1971
Series 10: Website versions in Archive-It, 2015

Series 1:  Administration, 1941-1977, contains bound and unbound Board Minutes form 1950-1977; some individual files duplicate the Minutes files, but hold other items of interest. Found here are meeting agenda lists (1956-62); special reports and Board reports (1962-68); copies of official papers, such as Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (1941, 1947 and 1951); files concerning registration and attendance; miscellaneous correspondence and a manual for office procedures. Files concerning the history of the organization and its activities, dating from 1941-1975, include items concerning its genesis and its reorganization, circa 1976.

Series 2:  Financial, 1946-1974, consists of fundraising records, including material pertaining to Junto's friends group, "Friends of Franklin"; invoices and bills for legal services and rent; auditors' reports; account ledgers and financial statements (1959-1973); bank statements and deposit slips; records concerning Junto's tax-exempt status; information on grants given to and received by Junto; and deeds and mortgages from Junto's property on 12th and Walnut Streets.

Series 3:  Correspondence, 1945-1971, contains correspondence with Urban Archives of Temples University (1971), and general correspondence (1945-1959, 1967). Correspondence on specific subjects is also found throughout the collection.

Series 4:  Publications of and about Creating Organization, 1954-1974, contains printed materials originated by Junto, including (mostly) pamphlets and brochure-type course listings. Also found here are several non-Junto originated reprints and brochures, and some newspapers, and newspaper clippings.

Series 5:  Projects, 1944-1974, contains materials on actual and proposed projects that Junto either initiated or participated in. Also found here are project plans and descriptions, correspondence, minutes and pamphlets.

Series 6:  Other Organizations, 1953-1977, consists of 7 files pertaining to other organizations with which Junto interacted, including Harcum Junior College and the Adult Education Council.

Series 7:  Scrapbooks, 1941-1972, consists of some photographs and 5 files of personal scrapbooks (compiler unknown).

Series 8:  Memorabilia, undated, contains a Philip Klein signature block.

Series 9:  Photographs (PC-6), 1935-1971, contains mostly unidentified and undated photographs illustrating the activities of the Junto.  Images generally depict course-related activities in such areas as acting for radio, art, cooking, etc. Photographers include Fabian Bachrach, Bornmann Photo, Classic Studio, Jules Schick, and Schonbrunn.

Series 10: Website versions in Archive-It, 2015, contains preserved versions of the Junto’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Urban Archives Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4487

Patron Information

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: http://diamond.temple.edu/record=b1701051~S12

Research Access

Collection is open for research.

Collections Stored Off-Site

This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.

Accruals

Additions to this collection are expected. Websites are captured using Archive-It periodically, and the latest additions may not yet be included in this finding aid. For information on material–physical and digital, including captured websites–that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Publication and Copyright Information

The Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records, Acc. 433, PC-6, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Junto through Philip Klein, June 1979.

Processing Information

Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in June 2015.    

Index Terms

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:

Corporate Names:
Adult Education Council (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Harcum Junior College

Subjects:
Adult education -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Education -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Places:
Philadelphia (Pa.)

Material Types:
Administrative records
Correspondence
Ephemera
Financial records
Ledgers (account books)
Minutes
Pamphlets
Photographs
Publications
Reports
Scrapbooks
Web sites

Inventory

Series 1:  Administration, 1941-1977

Series 1 contains bound and unbound Board Minutes form 1950-1977; some individual files duplicate the Minutes files, but hold other items of interest. Found here are meeting agenda lists (1956-62); special reports and Board reports (1962-68); copies of official papers, such as Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (1941, 1947 and 1951); files concerning registration and attendance; miscellaneous correspondence and a manual for office procedures. Files concerning the history of the organization and its activities, dating from 1941-1975, include items concerning its genesis and its reorganization, c. 1976.

1          1          Minutes of Junto Schools Inc., Vol. 1          1951-1953

1          2          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 2          1951, 1953-1954

1          3          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 3          1954-1956

1          4          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 4          1956-1958

1          5          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 5          1958-1961

1          6          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 6          1961-1965

1          7          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 7          1965-1968

1          8          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 8          1968-1969

1          9          Minutes of Junto Schools, Inc., Vol. 9          1968-1977

2          10          Minutes          June 1950-April 1952

2          11          Minutes and Correspondence (Philip Klein)          1950-1956

2          12          Minutes          January – February 1951

2          13          Minutes          June 1952-May 1953

2          14          Minutes          June 1953-May 1954

2          15          Minutes          June 1954-May 1956

2          16          Minutes, Annual Meeting          1955

2          17          Minutes, Board Meeting, Misc.          1956-1959

2          18          Minutes, Board Meeting, Misc.          1960-1961

2          19          Minutes          April 27-May 18, 1961

2          20          Minutes, Misc. Reports          1961-1963

2          21          Minutes, Misc. Reports          1951, 1963-1965

2          22          Minutes          November 1963-April 1967

2          23          Minutes, Annual Meetings          1964-1967

2          24          Minutes          1966-1970

2          25          Minutes, Annual Meeting          1967

2          26          Harcum Junior College, 1975-76 and Minutes and Misc. Reports          1967-1974

2          27          Minutes, Special Board Meeting          June 1968

2          28          Minutes, Annual Meeting          1968

2          29          Minutes          August 1, 1968-October 9, 1970

2          30          Minutes          October, 1968

2          31          Misc. Minutes and Notes          1968-1973

2          32          Minutes, Annual and Board Meetings, Misc.          1974-1976

2          33          Agenda          1956-1962

2          34          Adult-Basic Education          1971-1973

2          35          Founding of the Junto          1941

2          36          Space: Re Junto School          Undated

2          37          Committee on Bonaparte House          1950

2          38          Faculty Organization          Undated

2          39          Establishing a Home for Junto          Undated

2          40          Yale University Plan          1944

2          41          U.S. Steel-Financial Report          1950

2          42          Work Kit          Undated

2          43          Some Proposals for New Directions for the Junto          1968

2          44          Report (Board)          1962-1963

2          45          Report (Board)          1963-1964

2          46          Report (Board)          1964

2          47          Report (Board)          1964-1965

2          48          Report (Board)          1965-1966

2          49          Report (Board)          1967-1968

2          50          Report (Board)          1967-1968

2          51          Junto History          1944

2          52          Junto History and Misc.          1944-1946

2          53          Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws          1941, 1947, 1951

2          54          Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws          1941, 1947, 1950, 1951; Funds to Harcum

2          55          Introductory Essay          1950

2          56          Publicity, Newspapers          1954-1956

2          57          Junto vs. Cosmetology Assn.          1958-1959

2          58          Blueprint for Progress          1959

2          59          Conferences          1960-1968

2          60          Some Proposals for New Directions for the Junto          1968

2          61          Closing Notice          1968

2          62          Misc.          1968-1969

2          63          Agendas, Meetings, Luncheons, 1968; Adult Basic Education, 1972; Inventory, 1973

2          64          Legal Papers for Incorporation, Misc.          1968-1972

2          65          Misc. Correspondence          1968-1975

2          66          Misc. Correspondence          1968-1975

2          67          PA Department of Education License: 1971-1972

2          68          Notes on Adele Margolis          1972

2          69          Mechanics of Office Procedures          Undated

2          70          Registration Analysis          1941-1967

2          71          Registration Analysis          1953-1956

2          72          Publicity, Analysis of Registration          1954-1956

2          73          Client Questionnaire, Guidance Cards          Undated

2          74          Forms          Undated

2          75          Teaching Application Form          Undated

2          76          Class Roll and Attendance          Undated

2          77          Attendance Records Forms          Undated

2          78          Building Security          1977

2          79          Physical Plant/Building          1951-1958

2          80          Correspondence Re: Building          1960-1964

2          81          Building Layout          1961

Series 2:  Financial, 1946-1974

Series 2 consists of fundraising records, including material pertaining to Junto's friends group, "Friends of Franklin"; invoices and bills for legal services and rent; auditors' reports; account ledgers and financial statements (1959-1973); bank statements and deposit slips; records concerning Junto's tax-exempt status; information on grants given to and received by Junto; and deeds and mortgages from Junto's property on 12th and Walnut Streets.

3          82          Corporate Fundraising          May-June 1961

3          83          Friends of Franklin          March-November 1961

3          84          Friends of Franklin          May-August 1961

3          85          Long-range Financial Planning          April 1961-July 1963

3          86          Letter          March 10, 1969

3          87          U.S. Post Office          1943-1949

3          88          U.S. Post Office          1950-1959

3          89          U.S. Post Office          1960-1962

3          90          Bills for Legal Services          1965-1973

3          91          Bills for Rent          1968-1973

3          92          Auditors’ Reports          1958 and 1960

3          93          Auditors’ Reports          1961 and 1963

3          94          Auditors’ Reports          1966 and 1968

3          95          Ledger sheets          1959 December-1960 May

3          96          Ledger sheets          1960 June-1961 May

3          97          Ledger sheets          1961 June-1962 May

3          98          Ledger sheets          1962 June-1963 May

3          99          Ledger sheets          1967 June-1968 May

3          100          Account Ledger          1968-1969

3          101          Account Ledger          1969-1970

3          102          Account Ledger          1970-1971

3          103          Account Ledger          1971-1972

3          104          Account Ledger          1972-1973

3          105          Monthly Ledger          1968 June-1969 May

3          106          Monthly Ledger          1969 June-1970 May

3          107          Monthly Ledger          1970 June-1971 May

3          108          Monthly Ledger          1971 June-1972 May

3          109          Monthly Ledger          1972 June-1973 May

3          110          Petty cash journal          1965-1973

3          111          Financial Statements          1959 October-1962 December

3          112          Financial Statements          1968 June-1969 May

3          113          Financial Statements          1969 June-1970 May

3          114          Financial Statements          1970 June-1971 May

3          115          Financial Statements          1971 June-1972 May

3          116          Financial Statements          1972 June-1973 May

3          117          Forms          Undated

3          118          Bank statements          1968-1969

3          119          Deposit slips          1968

3          120          Deposit slips          1968-1969

3          121          Deposit slips          1969-1970

3          122          Deposit slips          1972-1973

3          123          Taxes, general          April-May 1946

3          124          Tax exemptions          July-August 1947

3          125          Tax exemptions          March 1951-July 1971

3          126          Federal tax exemption          December 1955-June 1966

3          127          PA tax exemption          May 1959-April 1971

3          128          Taxes, typewriters          Feb. 1960-Feb. 1961

3          129          Grants to Junto          1959-1968

3          130          Grants offered by Junto          1974-1975

3          131          Grant guidelines          Undated

3          132          Deeds and mortgages          1951-1963

3          133          Mortgage information          1951-1961

3          134          Mortgage information          1968-1974

3          135          Insurance analysis          Undated

Series 3:  Correspondence, 1945-1971

Series 3 contains correspondence with Urban Archives of Temples University (1971), and general correspondence (1945-59, 1967). Correspondence on specific subjects is also found throughout the collection.

3          136          Correspondence with Urban Archives at Temple University          1971

3          137          General Correspondence          1945-1959, 1967

Series 4:  Publications of and about Creating Organization, 1954-1974

Series 4 contains printed materials originated by Junto, including (mostly) pamphlets and brochure-type course listings. Also found here are several non-Junto originated reprints and brochures, and some newspapers, and newspaper clippings.

3          138          Junto 10th anniversary program, course listing          Undated

3          139          Printed promotional brochures, pamphlets          Undated

3          140          Newsletters          1973, 1974

3          141          Brochures, pamphlets; reprint: Anderson, Claude The Juntos of America          1935

3          142          Brochures, pamphlets, correspondence, newspapers, class time/location chart          Undated

3          143          Proofs          Undated

3          144          Pamphlets, Harcum          1954

3          145          Brochures, pamphlets re Harcum Residential Weekend          Undated

3          146          Newsletters; Correspondence          1969-1973

3          147          Promotional pamphlets, brochures          Undated

3          148          Non-Junto publications (about Junto): PA Older Worker; Wilson Library Bulletin          Undated

3          149          Non-Junto promotional pamphlets, brochures re adult education          Undated

3          150          Promotional pamphlets, brochures, with hand-written edits          Undated

3          151          Printed cards re registration          Undated

3          152          Printed cards re lecturers          Undated

3          153          Promotional pamphlets, brochures with dated labels, newspapers          Undated

3          154          Miscellaneous lists          Undated

3          155          Non-Junto publications: journals by Herbert Blum; reprints re Blum          1965-1966

3          156          Spring 1964 forms          1964

Series 5:  Projects, 1944-1974

Series 5 contains materials on actual and proposed projects that Junto either initiated or participated in. Also found here are project plans and descriptions, correspondence, minutes and pamphlets.

4          157          Registration Records          1953-1955, 1962-1968

4          158          Teacher Roster          Undated

4          159          10th Anniversary Committee          1951

4          160          10th Anniversary Committee          1951

4          161          15th Anniversary Committee          [1956]

4          162          Junto Business Institute          Undated

4          163          Junto Contemporary Club Election Ballots          1958-1959

4          164          Junto Contemporary Club Correspondence          1954-1966

4          165          Culture Forum Correspondence          1974

4          166          Forums-Suggested Topics for Forums          Undated

4          167          Junto City College-Proposals for New Building          Undated

4          168          Folk School-Proposal          Undated

4          169          Junior College Correspondence          1958-1961

4          170          Kennedy House-Course Descriptions          Undated

4          171          Nursing Courses-Course Descriptions          Undated

4          172          Personality Workshop-Course Descriptions

4          173          Prison Reform-Correspondence and Planning          1974

4          174          Worker Retraining Program-Correspondence          1962-1963

4          175          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Correspondence          1950-1953

4          176          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Correspondence          1952-1953

4          177          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Correspondence          1954

4          178          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Correspondence          1955

4          179          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Correspondence          1956

4          180          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Curricula          1949-1954

4          181          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Curricula          1954-1956

4          182          Junto Schools Division. Philip Klein Meeting Minutes

4          183          Southeastern Regional Committee Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation in PA          1968

4          184          Teacher Training Projects. Applications          Undated

4          185          Teacher Training Projects. Budget          Undated

4          186          Teacher Training Projects. Description of Program          Undated

4          187          Teacher Training Projects. Description of Demonstration Project          Undated

4          188          Teacher Training Projects. Correspondence          1968-1969

4          189          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Guidelines for Proposal          Undated

4          190          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Federal Grant Application          Undated

4          191          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Description of Teacher Training Program          Undated

4          192          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Federal Participant Information Form          Undated

4          193          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Board Correspondence          1968-1969

4          194          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. General Correspondence          1968-1969

4          195          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Federal Grant Applications          Undated

4          196          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Proposal and Correspondence          1969

4          197          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Proposals and Grant Information          Undated

4          198          Teacher Training Projects and Experimental Demonstration Projects. Budget          Undated

4          199          Traveling Teachers-Descriptions and Correspondence          Undated

4          200          Ladies Garment Union Programs-Self Defense; Dressmaking          Undated

4          201          Adult Education Council. Minutes; Bibliography of Workshop          1941, 1944         

4          202          Adult Education Council. Proposal          Undated

4          203          Adult Education Council. Address Lists          1970-1973

4          204          Adult Education Council. By-Laws          Undated

4          205          Adult Education Council. Minutes          1968

4          206          Adult Education Council. Nominating Committee          Undated

4          207          Adult Education Council. Adult Education Week          1963, 1971

4          208          Adult Education Council. Adult Education Week          Undated

4          209          Adult Education Council. Minutes          1971-1972

4          210          Adult Education Council. Adult Education Week          Undated

4          211          Adult Education Council. Pennsylvania Association          Undated

4          212          Adult Education Council. Adult Education Association USA          Undated

4          213          Adult Education Council. Membership Forms and Correspondence          Undated

4          214          Adult Education Council. Correspondence          1966-1967, 1972-1973

4          215          Adult Education Council. Correspondence and Address Lists          1966-1970

4          216          Adult Education Council. Correspondence          1978

Series 6:  Other Organizations, 1953-1977

Series 6 consists of 7 files pertaining to other organizations with which Junto interacted, including Harcum Junior College and the Adult Education Council.

4          217          Harcum Junior College Equipment Purchases          Undated

4          218          Harcum Junior College Correspondence          1953-1956, 1975

4          219          Adult Education Council          Undated

4          220          Adult Education Council Directory          1969-1971

4          221          Adult Education Week (event)          1971

4          222          Banks Business College          1954-1958

4          223          Jefferson House          1977-1978

Series 7:  Scrapbooks, 1941-1972

Series 7 consists of some photographs and 5 files of personal scrapbooks (compiler unknown).

4          224          (2) Photographs (removed to the Junto (Philadelphia, Pa.) Photograph collection)

4          225          Scrapbooks          September 1941 to October 1941

4          226          Scrapbooks (Newspaper inserts) (removed to oversize box)           1970, 1977

4          227          Scrapbooks "Levittown Publicity"          1950-1951

4          228          Scrapbooks "Junto Publicity"          1972

4          229          Clippings          1960-1965

Series 8:  Memorabilia, undated

5          230          Philip Klein Signature Block          Undated

6                    Various oversized items; folder numbers from above.

Series 9:  Photographs (PC-6), 1935-1971

Series 9 contains mostly unidentified and undated photographs illustrating the activities of the Junto.  Images generally depict course-related activities in such areas as acting for radio, art, cooking, etc. Photographers include Fabian Bachrach, Bornmann Photo, Classic Studio, Jules Schick, and Schonbrunn.

Anniversary, 10th

Courses

Art

Astronomy

Bridge

Business Skills

Charm Class

Chemistry

China Mending

Cooking

Creative Writing

Dancing

Draperies

Fashions

Flower Arrangement

Gardening

Millinery

Music

Nature Adventures

Navigation

Photography

Pottery

Psychology

Public Speaking

Radio Acting

Theatre

Faculty Frolic

Lunch and Learn

Miscellaneous

Open House, 1947

Portraits, 1935, 1941

Registration   

 

Series 10: Website versions in Archive-It, 2015

Series 10 contains preserved versions of the Junto’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Urban Archives Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4487

Request Materials from Special Collections Research Center

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